Group 2: step by step guide for cats

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cats coming to Australia from group 2 countries
must be accompanied by a valid import permit, which provides the conditions for importing the cat.

The conditions on the import permit take precedence over any other source of information. This step-by-step guide explains what you must do to prepare your cat for export; it is not a substitute for the import permit.

Cats must comply with
all conditions on the import permit.

Failure to comply with the conditions on the import permit may result in the cat being (at your cost):

held longer in post entry quarantine

subject to additional testing

exported

euthanased.

On arrival cats must spend a minimum of 10 day at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility.

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which veterinarians and laboratories are approved to prepare your cat for export (all veterinary procedures and testing must be done in an
approved country and testing must be done in a laboratory recognised by the competent authority of the approved exporting country)​

if the country of export has any requirements in addition to those stated on this webpage​

if the country of export has an agreed veterinary health certificate to use instead of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources standard veterinary health certificate.

The department recommends that you take this information to your
government approved veterinarian or pet transport agent to help you understand the requirements.

must have been continuously resident in an approved rabies free country (group 1 or group 2) since birth or direct import from Australia, or for at least 180 days before export

must not be under quarantine restrictions at the time of export

must not be more than 30 days pregnant nor be suckling young at the time of export.

In accordance with the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are generally not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:

Note – in certain circumstances, the Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) may permit the import of Bengal cats that are five generations or more removed from their wild ancestor. If you plan to import a Bengal cat, please contact DoEE to confirm your cat satisfies their requirements before you apply for an import permit from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. For more information about Bengal cats and other hybrid animals, DoEE can be contacted on +61 2 6274 2678 or email
Exotic Species, or visit their website.

Step 3: Verify existing microchip or implant a new microchip Timeframe- Before any pre-export veterinary procedures

​Cats must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

A
government approved veterinarian must scan the microchip at each veterinary visit and check that the scanned microchip number is correctly recorded on all documentation.

If the microchip cannot be read or is recorded incorrectly in the cat's documentation, the cat cannot be imported to Australia.

Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not acceptable because they are not unique.

Step 4: Apply and pay for the import permit Timeframe- After a microchip has been implanted and at least 42 days before the proposed date of export

Step 5: Book tentative post entry quarantine accommodation and make travel arrangements for your cat Timeframe: After you have received your import permit

Where a biosecurity officer deems necessary, diagnostic samples may be collected from animals in PEQ, including to verify that the import conditions continue to manage the biosecurity risks associated with the import of animals to Australia.

Travel arrangements

The department does not place any restrictions on the airline you choose. But
the cat must arrive direct into Melbourne International Airport. Domestic transfers from an Australian city to Melbourne are not permitted.

The cat must travel as manifested cargo (not in the cabin), in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved crate for cats. IATA guidelines can be viewed at
Traveller's Pet Corner.

The department accepts no responsibility for animals that escape en route.

All transport costs are at the importer's expense.

Transiting

During transport to Australia cats may
transit (touch down but stay on the same plane) in all countries.

Transhipment

The cat may only
tranship (change aircraft) in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, London, Dubai, Hong Kong or another approved group 1 or group 2 country.

The cat must not leave the international side of the airport and must be under the supervision of the
competent authority in the country of transhipment, in a place where contact with other animals is restricted.

If the crate is opened during transhipment, it must be resealed and the competent authority of the transhipment country must provide a certificate / declaration detailing the circumstances. The crate must be re-sealed and the certificate / declaration must include the new seal number.

The cat may not be eligible for import if these requirements are not met.

It is the importer’s responsibility to contact the competent authority in the country of transhipment to find out:

whether they allow animals to tranship

whether they have a facility to accommodate animals during transhipment

The department recommends that your cat receives a vaccination that protects against feline enteritis (also known as feline panleucopenia or feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus and is valid for the entire post entry quarantine period.

Step 7: Internal parasite treatments Timeframe: Two treatments at least 14 days apart, with the second treatment given within 5 days before export

The cat must be given two internal parasite treatments effective against nematodes and cestodes, by a
government approved veterinarian. Two treatments must be given at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before the date of export. The second treatment must be given within 5 days before the date of export.

Step 8: External parasite treatments Timeframe: Start at least 21 days before export and repeat according to manufacturer’s directions until the date of export

A
government approved veterinarian must treat the cat with a topical product that kills ticks and fleas on contact at least 21 days before the date of export. Continuous protection from external parasites must be maintained until the time of export and treatments may need to be repeated by the veterinarian in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.

To calculate 21 days before the date of export, count the first day the treatment is applied as day 0. For example, if treatment is given 1 January then the earliest date of export is 22 January.

At each subsequent veterinary visit, a Government approved veterinarian should examine the cat for external parasites. If fleas or ticks are found they must be removed and the treatment restarted.

In most cases the cat will be checked in at the freight terminal, not the passenger terminal.

If in exceptional circumstances the cat’s crate must be opened during travel an official government veterinarian, airport authority, or captain of the aircraft must reseal the crate and provide a certificate to the department detailing the circumstances. The certificate should be attached to the outside of the crate before departure from the port where the seal was broken.

Step 12: On arrival in Australia

Cats must stay at Mickleham for a minimum of 10 days. Any issues that increase biosecurity risk may result in a longer stay.

Where a biosecurity officer deems necessary, diagnostic samples may be collected from animals in PEQ, including to verify that the import conditions continue to manage the biosecurity risks associated with the import of animals to Australia.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.